Arizona Coyotes Possible Line Combos For 2015-2016

All Indications Say The Arizona Coyotes Will Have Lineup Changes Next Season

When you finish 29th, and don’t make the playoffs for the third consecutive season, it is inevitable that your player turnover will increase. The Arizona Coyotes got a head start on that when they were very active before and after the trade deadline.

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Gone are:

Keith Yandle (D)
Zbynek Michalek (D)
Antione Vermette (C)
Chris Summers (D)

Also gone before that were:

Rob Klinkhammer (C)
Brandon McMillian (C)
David Schlemko (D)
Devan Dubnyk (G)

New faces are:

Mark Arcobello (C)
John Moore (D)
Craig Cunningham (RW)
Tye McGinn (LW)
Klas Dahlbeck (D)

Going forward, here’s what I think will be the line combinations for next season:

Line #1: Mikkel Boedker, Marc Arcobello, Shane Doan

Line #2: Max Domi, Martin Hanzal, Henrik Samuelsson

Line #3 Lucas Lessio, Sam Gagner, Toby Rieder

Line #4 Kyle Chipchura, Joe Vitale, Anthony Duclair

Extra Forwards: Tye McGinn, Christian Dvorak

On the Blue-line:

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Michael Stone

Connor Murphy, Dion Phaneuf (acquired in trade with Maple Leafs… see below)

Andrew Campbell, John Moore

Extra D-men: Klas Dahbeck, Philip Samuelsson

Goalies: Mike Smith, Louis Domingue

Possible AHL call-ups during the season:

Brandon Gormley – Still trying to see if he will develop into a regular roster D-man. It’s tough to call at this point.
Brendan Perlini – Looked really promising in training camp tryout last season, until he got hurt. Has some potential.
Alex Bolduc – His 23 G, 29 A, at Portland in 62 games means you take a closer look at his game.
Christian Dvorak – Had played well for Portland – 3 points in five games. His sharp-shooting prowess is needed badly.
Henrik Samuelsson – Was called up for three games late in the season. He’s ready.. I say let’s see what he’s got. On a line with Domi, and Hanzal he could flourish.
Philip Samuelsson – Very high on his potential. He had 5 goals in regular season, 4 were PPG’s. In the Calder playoffs he also has a PPG, so I could easily see him being a second coming of a Keith Yandle… a bit tougher, and not so weak on defense.
Brendan Shinnimin – Has performed with good numbers at Portland, and got a good look with the Arizona Coyotes near the end of the season. He needs to step up when he gets the call, there’s lots of competition for a spot on the parent team.

** All of the above excludes any summer trades, free agent signings which may occur, and we will keep you abreast of those events as they happen right here on Howlin Hockey.

Some of you may say what about the following players?:

Dave Moss – I say don’t sign him, he was ineffective for the most part, a big body, but just a bad luck kinda forward.
Martin Erat – Same with him, big contract… little results. If he can be traded, trade him to get something back, otherwise BYE..
B.J. Crombeen – Tough guy, but took stupid penalties… Chipchura will be the tough guy next season, he can handle it.
Lauri Korpikoski – Should be traded, with a third round pick perhaps to Toronto so they can move up to get our #3 pick for Dion Phaneuf, that experienced D-man we need to help the young pup D-men. Phaneuf has made it known he wants to leave.
Craig Cunningham – Was a late season pick-up from waivers, it was between him and McGinn, I chose the latter.

That pretty well sums it up. Will this team be competitive enough to make the cut next season and qualify for the playoffs? MARGINAL.. and I see more changes coming down the ice… GM Don Maloney wants this team to make a QUICK recovery from the disastrous season we all had to endure.

Hey, the Calgary Flames finished 27th during the ’12-’13 season, and made the playoffs this season. Change is good, and in the Arizona Coyotes dressing room, there will be some new faces. Let’s just hope they all have smiles on their faces come next April. Making the playoffs is vital to this organization in so many ways… not now… that’s another article.

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